Yeah, now there's no competition on the radio! Well, except for the free radio I listen to now, and CDs, and iPod, and WiFi hookup for my laptop, and TV, and cable TV (with music!), and live music.

Duh, Earth to Ashcroft - the reason they're merging is because there's no money in it because there are so many freely available substitutes. Who wants to listen to someone else's picks when you can put your on on iPod and play it through your car radio?

8:11 am March 3, 2007

Lee D. wrote:

This is taken from Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin's opening statement in his testimony to the House Judiciary Anti-Trust subcommittee hearing on 2/28/07:

Karmazin writes:

"A merged company will . . . give subscribers additional programming options and pave the way for even more programming. We expect that consumers will no longer have to subscribe to both services in order to receive the most popular programming. We want subscribers on both systems to be able to listen to both the NFL and Major League Baseball. Both the PGA and NCAA basketball. Both Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart.

Moreover, in the long-term the significantly expanded channel capacity of our merged company will give consumers access to a greater range of programming. XM and SIRIUS already broadcast a wide range of commercial-free music channels, exclusive and non-exclusive sports coverage, news, talk, and entertainment programming. In the long-term, our combined company expects to be able to expand diverse programs for underserved interests. For example, we hope to expand foreign language and religious programming.

The merger will also result in a combined focus on designing the best products and innovative services for our subscribers. By combining our research and development, we will be able to design and introduce radios and transmission infrastructure that will give satellite radio subscribers the best experience in audio entertainment. We will be able to speed the introduction of radios offering content from both of our services today something that has been challenging as separate companies.

We anticipate that together, our radios will be smaller, lighter, simpler, and more technologically-advanced than what each company has on the market today. Over time, we will look to combine our satellite and terrestrial transmission infrastructure to deliver the broadest range of content and the highest level of service quality. Finally, we'll use our combined resources to improve upon our nascent non-audio services, like Backseat Video, real-time traffic and weather, and other infotainment-style data services. At the same time, we will accelerate the delivery of innovative services and products.

It is important to realize, however, that our individual radios will not become obsolete as a result of this combination. Any radios or other equipment that subscribers currently use will be fully supported by SIRIUS and XM. When more technologically advanced devices are ready, subscribers will make the decision to adopt them at a timing of their choice.

In summary, a merged Sirius and XM will be a boon to consumers. They will receive additional programming opportunities and choice at more competitive prices. They will have access to advanced equipment and services, but they will have the flexibility to adopt technology when they wish, secure in the knowledge that their current radio will continue to operate. And satellite audio will continue to be a viable consumer option in the modern audio entertainment marketplace a marketplace that has undergone incredible growth and upheaval since the birth of satellite radio."

(end of quote)

Is there any reason to not suspect that the NAB will pull out every trick in its arsenal to challenge legitimate competition?

They have paid off Ashcroft. Now they will take their lobbying efforts to loftier heights.

Why not let the consumer decide? If the man on the street feels he is getting ripped off, he can always go back to the transistor radio.

That the NAB has a newly hired (read: PAID) gun who has formed an equally new non free market opinion inconsistent with his past history is laughable. The NAB was against even the formation of satellite radio. NAB members have long noted that satellite radio competes with regular radio (check their SEC filings)and their continual misinformation is not only transparent but also a bit pathetic.

8:40 am March 5, 2007

Justin Dike wrote:

Quote....

"...John Ashcroft, HIRED BY opponents of the Sirius Satellite Radio-XM Satellite Radio deal, wrote a letter to his successor..."

Golly gee. Ashcroft sure is a moral man. If I offered him 10 bucks I wonder what he'd do for me...

9:08 am March 5, 2007

Same ole' stuff wrote:

Ashcroft went to XM first and proposed to lobby on their behalf. He was turned down, and went to offer his services to the NAB.

Funny, the moral crusader offered services to the employer of Oppie and Anthony, who had people having sex in St. Catherine's Church.

Morality for hire.

11:41 pm March 5, 2007

Neal Barkett wrote:

Daddy when I grow up I wanna be atty. general. of the United States of America! Oh, son please don't disgrace the family. Maybe you could get a job at McDonald's. It doesn't pay well but its honest work.

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